COLLEGE SIGNING: Boyertown's Kaitlyn DeHaven headed to Duquesne

Initially, Kaitlyn DeHaven thought her college journey would pass through Annapolis — especially after giving a verbal commitment to the U.S. Naval Academy last year as a junior.

Over the past few months, however, the Boyertown lacrosse standout gradually had a change of heart concerning her future destination.

As Navy’s arduous acceptance process was playing out, DeHaven began to have second thoughts about her decision.

“It’s such a great opportunity to be able to go there and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “But I thought about it long and hard, and after talking to my parents (Brian and Carol) for months and months, I thought that maybe it wasn’t the right place for me.”

Though DeHaven eventually wound up being accepted to Navy last month, she decided the right place for her would be Duquesne University. She recently accepted a partial scholarship to attend the Pittsburgh school and play lacrosse for the Division I Dukes.

Under coach Michael Scerbo, Duquesne went 5-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference and 11-7 overall, reaching the title game of the conference tourney.

“I had kept in contact their coach,” DeHaven said. “There was just a multitude of things I liked about the school, and I thought it would be a better route for me with what I wanted to study, and it was a place I thought I would able to be successful.”

DeHaven, a midfielder and attacker, helped the Bears be plenty successful during her three-year career.

“Kaitlyn’s got really good size,” Boyertown coach Pam Wernersbach said of the 6-foot DeHaven. “She’s very tall compared to most girls out there, and she’s very good at draw controls because of her height. She’s got great speed and very good hand-eye coordination, plus she’s very good at seeing feeds and assists and making plays happen. And she’s just very, very motivated.”

That motivation is also apparent on the basketball court, where DeHaven was a starter for the Bears’ squad that qualified for the PIAA-AAAA Tournament.

A member of the Boyertown Junior ROTC and a member of student council as a sophomore and junior, DeHaven said she plans to major in either sociology or psychology and some form of criminal justice.

DeHaven first visited the Duquesne campus during her junior year and also made a visit earlier this spring.

“I definitely love how it’s in a big city right around where there’s a lot of stuff to do,” DeHaven said. “It’s a really nice campus, and I’m excited to be going there.”

She’s also excited about her chances of making an impact for the Dukes, who have gone 34-20 over the past three years.

“They have a really good program that seems to be growing over the past few years,” DeHaven said. “I have a feeling I can contribute right away. I’m good at pushing myself, and Coach (Scerbo) said he’ll push me hard, which I like.”

Playing for perennial PAC-10 kingpin Boyertown should also help DeHaven’s chances of succeeding at the next level.

“I think it will be extremely helpful,” she said. “The team I was on knew how to win, and had a strong bond. Getting to play against the best teams in District 1 and play the best caliber of competition should definitely prepare me.”